Glide up by cable car to the dazzling Monte Palace tropical garden, then hurtle back down through cobbled streets in a hand-steered wicker toboggan — Madeira's most exhilarating and quintessentially local tradition.
What to expect
The Teleférico glides smoothly over red-roofed quintas and banana groves to Monte village. Spend an hour exploring Monte Palace's tiered gardens — Japanese pagodas, African sculptures, and sweeping Funchal bay views. Then two white-suited 'carreiros' guide your wicker basket-sled down 2 km of steep cobbled lanes at exhilarating speed — a tradition unchanged since 1850. Finish with a bica and pastel de nata at a Monte café before strolling back down.
Good to know
Cable car opens at 09:00; go early on port days. The toboggan ends in Livramento, a short taxi back to the waterfront. Allow 3 hours total. Pre-book the cable car online to skip queues.
Sail there
Luxury cruises that call at Funchal — book through us, the fare is identical and your concierge stays on your side.
More to do in Funchal
- Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo: Madeira's Rooftop Ridge Walk
- VIP Whale & Dolphin Watching: Luxury Catamaran from Funchal
- Blandy's Wine Lodge: Private Madeira Wine Masterclass
- Full-Day Private Jeep Safari: Levadas, Villages & Laurisilva Forest
- Funchal Old Town & Mercado dos Lavradores: Private Walking Masterclass